Charlie Sheen = crazy?

[eliza61]

I'm not sure what the problem is with observation? Professionals rely on observation for various diagnoses. Not all disorders, etc. can be proven with medical tests alone. Observation, especially with medical professionals, teachers, counsellors, etc., is very important, as it allows for comparison, as well as creation of a track record that can then be used for further testing, with the end result being diagnosis.

I don't see what the problem is with medical professionals who have treated thousands of patients, especially psychiatrists and psychologists, offering their professional opinions on what could be going wrong with Charlie Sheen?

I'm not following you here...Tiger

Never said I had a problem with observation just pure skepticism on my part. I find it highly ironic that when Charlie, or Lindnsey or christina or now this fine designer who got busted in a racist rant or any other "celebrity" finally gets busted they all of a sudden "have mental" issues.

I'm a chemist so I know all about observations, thankfully none of our conclusions came from 15 minutes of "observations" I wouldn't have a job.

I don't have a problem with observation but once again I do find it a little suspect of "observation" on TV. sort of "reality" showish where it's all stadged. I have physical health issues and I would not want a doctor diagnosing and treating me after a 10 minute interview on the todays show but that's just me and if my love one had mental issues, I don't think I'd take a diagnosis from a doctor who simply watched a set up "interview" on tv. but once again that's just me.

I do have quite a bit of experience unfortunately with crack heads and alcoholics so yep, I'm skeptical.

 

[Tiger926]

Never said I had a problem with observation just pure skepticism on my part. I find it highly ironic that when Charlie, or Lindnsey or christina or now this fine designer who got busted in a racist rant or any other "celebrity" finally gets busted they all of a sudden "have mental" issues.

I'm a chemist so I know all about observations, thankfully none of our conclusions came from 15 minutes of "observations" I wouldn't have a job.

I don't have a problem with observation but once again I do find it a little suspect of "observation" on TV. sort of "reality" showish where it's all stadged. I have physical health issues and I would not want a doctor diagnosing and treating me after a 10 minute interview on the todays show but that's just me and if my love one had mental issues, I don't think I'd take a diagnosis from a doctor who simply watched a set up "interview" on tv. but once again that's just me.

I do have quite a bit of experience unfortunately with crack heads and alcoholics so yep, I'm skeptical.

Many famous people do have mental issues though, that's the whole point, but because they are actors, people always assume it's for attention, yet in the real world, it's the exact opposite. Why is that? Oh, because they have money and fame, so they must be immune to addictions, mental illness, anxiety, etc. I really don't get that line of thinking...chemical imbalances don't discriminate based on finances or fame.

The whole thing just bothers me, as once again, another human being, who is in obvious mental distress, is being displayed as a freak. The usage of the word 'crazy' in this thread title, is another part of that. The world of mental/brain health has so many stigmas attached to it, and this current case of Charlie Sheen proves that most people really don't care to understand it - people are so quick to judge people who they think are 'crazy', yet would anyone dare call a brain cancer patient who talks gibberish, 'crazy'? I think we all know the answer to that question. He is ill, end of story.

And you can't say that anyone on TV is actually diagnosing as they aren't his doctors. The experts that I have read about, are saying based on their observations, past history, etc., he is presenting as xxx. They can't officially diagnose him, as they aren't his doctors, so their professional opinions should not be counted as invalid, as that is what they do for a living. Why not accept what someone like Dr. Drew Pinsky has to say, since he is an addiction specialist? Perhaps this information will also help someone else in the same sitution, seek out medical attention. It's totally different than your own doctor diagnosing you after 15 mins (which many doctors actually do), as he/she has a vast medical history and tests to back up his/her diagnosis, so all of that should be consulted in your diagnosis. Experts are just offering their opinions, as they are being asked for it, based on their knowledge of the subject. Two different things, IMHO.

And, as many of us stated, who have experience with both mental illness and addictions, they present almost in an identical manner, so it's up to his actual docs to get to the bottom of his actual diagnosis. But, in the mental health world, an exact diagnosis is something that is very tricky as is, as people can go many years without knowing what exactly is wrong with them.

Thanks for your response, Tiger

 

[IdesOmarch]

There is another side. Charlie is a very creative artist type, he doesn't have a creative outlet (like writing music, painting etc.) other than his acting, which he's not doing right now. He could just by hyper creative, and I know hyper creative types, they will make words up, say funny things, etc., David Lee Roth is one that comes to mind. Doesn't necessarily make them "nuts."

Maybe he does have some mental issues, but just because someone says funny things and such, doesn't make them deserving of a padded room. Eccentric creative people, maybe close to mental, but is that necessarily a bad thing? I mean they say there is a fine line between insane and genius, a supposedly insane man invented the Saxaphone. Einstein was noted for not tying his shoes, having crazy hair etc., do we now look back at Einstein and say, wow he was crazy. Not that Charlie is Einstein, just saying.

 

[lizabu]

There is another side. Charlie is a very creative artist type, he doesn't have a creative outlet (like writing music, painting etc.) other than his acting, which he's not doing right now. He could just by hyper creative, and I know hyper creative types, they will make words up, say funny things, etc., David Lee Roth is one that comes to mind. Doesn't necessarily make them "nuts."

Maybe he does have some mental issues, but just because someone says funny things and such, doesn't make them deserving of a padded room. Eccentric creative people, maybe close to mental, but is that necessarily a bad thing? I mean they say there is a fine line between insane and genius, a supposedly insane man invented the Saxaphone. Einstein was noted for not tying his shoes, having crazy hair etc., do we now look back at Einstein and say, wow he was crazy. Not that Charlie is Einstein, just saying.

You have a point. How well do we know Charlie Sheen? I can't recall seeing too many interviews done while he was sober or not in drug witdrawl. It's pretty hard for us as the public to know whether he is like this all the time or only now. He also surrounds himself with people who think he's great so when he makes jokes or comments like the ones he's been making they probably crack up laughing and encourage him more. When regular people hear these comments we just stare at him blankly and ask him what that's supposed to mean (like the reporter on 20/20 did last night).

 

[nmmom95]

It's sad, but so many stars seem to have their lives fall apart. I guess after years of your every whim being catered to, you just lose touch with reality. Look at Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Mel Gibson...

 

[brerrabbit]

I do not suppose to know enough about him other than what I see in interviews and read in the press. Here is what I do know, he has admitted to using crack, it is extremley addictive. I have personal experience as I have a brother in law who has done every drug known to man at one time or another. Sheen admits to hard drinking and hard living, my BIL has done the same. From what I know and have personally witnessed up close and personal, Sheen is exibiting all the signs that my BIL has gone through. The only difference between the two is Sheen has all the money he needs to continue the lifestyle. Denial, delusions, fantasy, rants, times of depression, followed by hyper active moments. Again I am not a doctor, but I have average to above average observation skills and have seen every bit of this in my BIL.

If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and swims like a duck then I call it a duck.

 

[Robinrs]

I do not suppose to know enough about him other than what I see in interviews and read in the press. Here is what I do know, he has admitted to using crack, it is extremley addictive. I have personal experience as I have a brother in law who has done every drug known to man at one time or another. Sheen admits to hard drinking and hard living, my BIL has done the same. From what I know and have personally witnessed up close and personal, Sheen is exibiting all the signs that my BIL has gone through. The only difference between the two is Sheen has all the money he needs to continue the lifestyle. Denial, delusions, fantasy, rants, times of depression, followed by hyper active moments. Again I am not a doctor, but I have average to above average observation skills and have seen every bit of this in my BIL.

If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and swims like a duck then I call it a duck.

My ex is a paranoid schizophrenic and everytime I see Charlie I see him. We thought it was drugs also but realize that the symptoms can be eerily similar.

I agree he has been enabled totally by having enough money to spin totally out of control. My ex also has a wealthy family but they used the money and sought HELP for him. No one in that kind of state of denial will ever seek help on their own.

I'm just glad the children were removed. This kind of personality should never be in charge of children. I spent my life protecting my son from it, hopefully someone will step in and protect them from Charlie and his wife.

As for the "goddesses"....... WHAT WAS HE THINKING to show them on national TV??? Did he seriously think there would be NO reprecussions for his admitting this trashy lifestyle and blending in 2 infants?? Sure he sounded "sane" in this interview, my ex does too when his hand has been slapped. He needs HELP and a publicist with a backbone who will tell him to BACK AWAY from the camera before you do irreparable damage.

 

[Tiger926]

My ex is a paranoid schizophrenic and everytime I see Charlie I see him. We thought it was drugs also but realize that the symptoms can be eerily similar.

I agree he has been enabled totally by having enough money to spin totally out of control. My ex also has a wealthy family but they used the money and sought HELP for him. No one in that kind of state of denial will ever seek help on their own.

I'm just glad the children were removed. This kind of personality should never be in charge of children. I spent my life protecting my son from it, hopefully someone will step in and protect them from Charlie and his wife.

As for the "goddesses"....... WHAT WAS HE THINKING to show them on national TV??? Did he seriously think there would be NO reprecussions for his admitting this trashy lifestyle and blending in 2 infants?? Sure he sounded "sane" in this interview, my ex does too when his hand has been slapped. He needs HELP and a publicist with a backbone who will tell him to BACK AWAY from the camera before you do irreparable damage.

I'm glad his babies were removed as well. Both parents are addicts, so those babies need a positive upbringing right away.

I agree with you about the sounding sane part as well - when people are in a manic state, it's amazing to see the true variances in their behaviours. Sheen is also an actor too, so he is good at acting a certain way. I'll never forget talking to someone who has struggled with bipolar disorder, and as a fully functioning adult who takes her meds, no drugs/alcohol, counselling, etc., she is an incredible person, after years of work, and she said to me that most their lives are spent acting a certain way, so even when you feel highly depressed or manic, they can control it for short periods or act their way out of certain situations, as their job, children, etc. may depend upon it. She reminded me that it becomes a defence mechanism, as most people don't really care to understand mental illness, as their first instinct is to judge and condemn.

He does not seem to be rational, so he obviously thinks that living with the goddesses is acceptable, and it probably didn't even occur to him about his kids. This is also the same man who thinks ingesting large amounts of cocaine are acceptable, so he is functioning in a different place right now. I honestly can't imagine that he is even concerned about his kids, because if he was, he wouldn't have married an addict, nor brought them into the world in the first place, until he was a fully functional, rational and sober parent.

Tiger